Arizona Cardinals release linebacker Ernie Sims

The Arizona Cardinals released linebacker Ernie Sims Thursday, just two days before the team’s first preseason game.

Sims, 29, was brought in as an insurance policy in early June when inside linebacker Daryl Washington was handed a season-long suspension by the NFL for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

“It was a fit (issue),” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said of why Sims didn’t stick with the team. “I think a veteran, you owe him the respect to maybe find a team that he can fit. He’s been a 4-3 stack linebacker his career. I like where some of the young guys are.

“I let Ernie go so that he can hopefully catch on real quick somewhere else.”

The eight-year veteran out of Florida State started his career in Detroit in 2006 and spent four years with the Lions. In the past four years, he’s played with Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Dallas.

Sims was listed third-string on the Cardinals’ first depth chart of the season, which was released Monday.